After just 15 months on the job, U.S. Soccer surprisingly fired women's coach Tom Sermanni after Sunday's 2-0 win against China in Commerce City, Colo. The move comes seven months before qualifying begins for the 2015 World Cup.

With a record of 18-2-4, the biggest disappointment during Sermanni's tenure came at the Algarve Cup last month when the Americans went 1-2-1 to finish an uncharacteristic seventh. A 1-0 loss to Sweden broke the team's 43-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were also routed by Denmark 5-3, the most conceded goals in team history. Ranked No. 1 in the world since March 2008, the team last lost two consecutive matches at the 2001 Algarve Cup.

The move is unexpected given the timing. Two days prior, U.S. Soccer posted a lengthy interview with Sermanni on its website, in which the coach detailed the team's World Cup preparation.

"We want to thank Tom for his service over the past year and half, but we felt that we needed to go in a different direction at this time," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati in a statement. "We will begin looking for a new coach immediately to guide our Women's National Team toward qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup."

"I'm disappointed that things didn't work out, but I'd like to thank U.S. Soccer for the opportunity to have coached this team and also the staff and players for all their hard work," said Sermanni, who previously spent eight years coaching Australia's women's team.

U.S. Soccer Director of Development Jill Ellis will serve as interim head coach, starting with the USA's next match against China on Thursday in San Diego. Ellis previously served as interim head coach for seven matches at the end of 2012, going 5-0-2.